Subic, Philippines (09 June 2024) – Chinese Peng Cheng Li and local standout Leyann
Ramo delivered outstanding performances at the IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay, demonstrating
remarkable speed, strength, and endurance in their victories here Sunday.
Li maintained a commanding lead throughout the race, finishing with an impressive time of
4:20:05. His dominant performance saw him outpace Great Britain’s Christopher Weeks by a
substantial margin of 10 minutes in the challenging 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, and 21.1km
run event.
Weeks finished in 4:30:18, while August Benedicto, a local favorite, secured third place in
4:34:21. Li’s performance was particularly notable during the closing run stage, where he
dashed to the finish with an energy that belied the grueling nature of the half-triathlon race.
The IRONMAN Philippines and the IM 70.3 Subic drew over a thousand triathletes from 54
countries, underscoring the global appeal of the IRONMAN-branded events. The two races
also offered qualifying slots for three World Championships, including the ongoing full-distance
race featuring a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and 42.2km run.
Li, who placed sixth in the full IRONMAN Australia last year, set a strong pace early in the
swim leg with the fastest time of 28:38, establishing a two-minute lead over Weeks.
Transitioning to the bike leg, the 33-year-old multi-age group winner in 70.3 races extended
his lead with a time of 2:21:38. He capped off his performance with a powerful finishing kick
during the run, completing it in 1:23:58.
Li’s performance mirrored his winning effort at the IRONMAN 70.3 Korea in 2019, highlighting
the consistent discipline he has maintained over the years.
Meanwhile, Ramo showcased impressive form despite fluctuating weather conditions,
including intermittent sunshine and overcast skies. She set the pace with a swim time of
00:30:57, maintained her lead during the bike leg with a time of 02:45:42, and concluded
strongly with a run time of 01:47:06, securing the women’s overall crown with a total time of
05:07:33. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” said Ramo, proudly representing Sultan Naga
Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. Winner of the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa last year, the 31-
year-old Tri SND Barracuda spearhead expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, teammates
and province for their unwavering support in her latest triumph.
Israel’s Hadar Shahar finished second with a time of 05:16:04, posting leg times of 00:32:38
(swim), 02:46:26 (bike), and 01:52:53 (run). Hong Kong’s Ruby Cheng claimed third place in
05:23:57, with respective times of 00:29:44, 02:49:23, and 01:58:32 in the swim, bike, and run
segments.
Ramo also earned the age-group title in the 30-34 division ahead of Cheng, while Shahar
topped the 25-29 category, culminating a significant triathlon weekend that included the
Underpants Run and the Choco Hero IRONKIDS.
Weeks began strongly with a swim time of 00:30:26, followed by a bike time of 02:22:41, and
concluded the run in 01:33:27, finishing with a total time of 04:30:18. Benedicto, winner of the
IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu in 2022, completed the swim in 00:34:26, the bike in 02:23:48, and the
run in 01:32:49, finishing at 04:34:21.
The top three male finishers also ruled their respective age-group categories: Li claimed the
30-34 age group, Weeks secured the 35-39 trophy, and Benedicto won in the 40-44 division.
Benedicto also narrowly edged out Thai top triathlete Jaray Jearnai in both overall and agegroup standings, with Jearnai finishing in 04:37:08 with leg times of 00:30:23 (swim), 02:26:56
(bike), and 01:35:16 (run).
Furthermore, the top 25 male triathletes from the ongoing full-distance race earned coveted
spots in the Kona, Hawaii World Championship scheduled from Oct. 22-28. Additionally, the
top 15 female athletes secured qualification for the Vinfast IRONMAN World Championship in
Nice, France, set for Sept. 24-28.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay also offered 45 age-group qualifying slots for the Vinfast IM
70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand, on Dec. 14-15, with 15 slots reserved
specifically for female participants.
In relay competitions, Go for Gold Team topped the men’s event in 04:05:20, beating Isabela
Tri Club (04:10:02) and Go for Gold Team 2 (04:19:17), while Isabela Tri Club topped the
mixed relay in 04:25:29, and the Isabela Tri Club Girls ruled the women’s side in 05:04:32.
Other division winners were Kenneth Bonda (4:45:49), and A.R. Toroganan (4:40:05) in 25-
29.
The Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines and IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay is backed by Global
Premier Partners Global Premier Partners Vinfast, Hoka, Roka, and Breitling; with Global
Technical Partners Athletic Brewing Co., Hyperice, Maurten, Santini, AG1, wahoo, Qatar
Airways, FulGaz and TriDot; with global supplier partners Always Advancing, Nirvana,
Compressport and ekoi. Media Partners Outside+. Title Partner Century Tuna of Century
Pacific Foods Inc., and Venue Host Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Official Hydration
Partner Lightwater, Bike Leg Racing Partner NLEX & SCTEX, Official Courier & Logistics
Partner 2Go. Event Partners Birch Tree, ion Advanced Electrolyte Drink, Lightwater, Sante,
Teresa Marble, Sportograf, The Philippine Star, One Sports, and Cignal.
